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Pampus argenteus (Euphrasen, 1788) is one of the major fishery species in coastal China. Pampus argenteus has a highly specialized morphology, and its declining fishery resources have encouraged massive research efforts on its aquacultural biology. In this study, we reported the first high-quality chromosome-level genome of P. argenteus obtained by integrating Illumina, PacBio HiFi, and Hi-C sequencing techniques. The final size of the genome was 518.06 Mb, with contig and scaffold N50 values of 20.47 and 22.86 Mb, respectively. The sequences were anchored and oriented onto 24 pseudochromosomes based on Hi-C data corresponding to the 24-chromatid karyotype of P. argenteus. A colinear relationship was observed between the P. argenteus genome and that of a closely related species (Scomber japonicus). A total of 24,696 protein-coding genes were identified from the genome, 98.9% of which were complete BUSCOs. This report represents the first case of high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly for P. argenteus and can provide valuable information for future evolutionary, conservation, and aquacultural research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demersal brown banded bamboo shark Chiloscyllium punctatum is a major component of sharks landed in Malaysia. However, little is known about their population structure and the effect of high fishing pressure on these weak swimming sharks. Both mitochondrial DNA control region (1072 bp) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (1044 bp) were used to elucidate the genetic structure and connectivity of C. punctatum among five major areas within the Sundaland region. Our findings revealed (i) strong genetic structure with little present day mixing between the major areas, (ii) high intra-population genetic diversity with unique haplotypes, (iii) significant correlation between genetic differentiation and geographical distance coupled with detectable presence of fine scale geographical barriers (i.e. the South China Sea), (iv) historical directional gene flow from the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia towards the west coast and Borneo, and (v) no detectable genetic differentiation along the coastline of east Peninsular Malaysia. Genetic patterns inferred from the mitochondrial DNA loci were consistent with the strong coastal shelf association in this species, the presence of contemporary barriers shaped by benthic features, and limited current-driven egg dispersal. Fine scale population structure of C. punctatum highlights the need to improve genetic understanding for fishery management and conservation of other small-sized sharks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Length-weight relationship provides basic information of a fish's condition while the morphometric data of otolith has been traditionally used to determine the range of fish sizes for various purposes. The length-weight relationship of Terapon jarbua (Forskål, 1775) was examined from 165 specimens, while 132 specimens were used in sagittal otolith biometry measurements. Fish specimens were obtained from various locations in Malaysia including Pahang, Selangor, Sarawak, and Sabah. The total length of fish ranged 12.5-32.5 cm, while the total weight ranged 26.28-444.30 g. The otolith length ranged 0.423-1.070 cm, and the otolith weight was 0.010 3-0.157 2 g. The specimens displayed a mixture of positive and negative allometry growth as indicated by fluctuating b values between 2.74 and 3.15. The overall coefficient of determination (R 2) between fish length and weight was 0.972 9, which implies a strong correlation. All regressions between the fish length and otolith dimensions were highly significant (P <0.001). The otolith dimensions found to be most closely related to the fish total length was the otolith weight. This was supported by the regression model showing a high R 2 value of 86.57%. The aspect ratio of otolith was 1.80±0.14 (mean±SD). Results confirm that the otolith growth reflects the somatic growth of T. jarbua. The length-weight relationship explained the growth conditions of the fishes in each location while the overall b value of 2.91 indicates that the condition of T. jarbua grown in Malaysian waters during the study period was generally in good condition. This study contributed to the database on the morphometric data of otolith of T. jarbua as well as the first report on fish length-weight relationship for T. jarbua in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three specimens of the serranid fish (Serranidae), Plectranthias kamii Randall, 1980 were collected from fish market, Bitung, North Sulawesi on May and June 2010. Some morphological characters P. kamii is closely related to P. sheni, P. megalophthalmus, P. retrofasciatus, P. rubrifasciatus, P. knappi, P. helenae, P. pelicieri, P. jothyi, P. retrofasciatus and P. randalli in sharing of body width, upper jaw length, pelvic spine length and orbit diameter. Meristic count characters of P. kamii differ from P. sheni, P. pilicieri, P. megalophthalmus, P. retrofasciatus and P. rubrifasciatus in having more numerous dorsal spine (18 vs. 15-17) and below lateral line (33-34 vs. 29-33) and differ from P. megalophthalmus and P. rubrifasciatus in having more numerous pored scales in lateral line (13 vs. 14-15) and shorter of anal spine. The present anthiine fish collected from Bitung, Indonesia was described as new record and bringing the total number of species of this genus known in Indonesia to seven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish species composition and spatio-temporal variability of the community were studied in a tropical seagrass meadow located in a lagoon in the eastern part of North Sulawesi. The diversity of fish community in the seagrass meadows was relatively high, with the Shannon-Wiener index ranging from 1.57 to 3.69. The family Apogonidae was the most dominant in abundance (8.27 ind./(100 m2)) and biomass (28.49 g/(100 m2)). At the species level, Apogon lateralis and Sphaeramia orbicularis were the most dominant species in abundance and biomass, respectively. For spatial distribution on species, the end, middle and mouth of the lagoon clustered together as a whole, which may be due to the substrate types found in those zones. The fish species, fish abundance and fish biomass were greater in the dry and wet seasons than in the transition season, which is explained by the strong monsoon, which provides a more suitable environment and food for the fish. The maximum length of 93.10% of the captured species was less than their length at maturity, indicating that seagrass meadows are nursery habitats for many fishes. Therefore, protection of the seagrass meadows is essential for fisheries and sustainable resource utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]